Switch Off At Restival London: Where The Arizona Desert Comes To An Urban Landscape

Angelina Villa-Clarke
, ContributorChasing the dream: I write about travel and the world around meOpinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

(Credit: Michael Drummond)

Restival Arizona - get away from it all

Launched in 2015 in Arizona's Painted Desert, Restival was the first of its kind. Combining the 'group' ethos and freedom vibes of music festivals with the wellness factors of a holistic retreat, founder Caroline Jones came up with the concept of a five-day digital-detox which also borrows a lot from experiential travel.

(Credit: Michael Drummond)

Restival founder Caroline Jones

"At Restival Arizona, there are no distractions – no TV, internet, traffic noise – and once you get used to the silence, your body starts to recalibrate back to the vibration of nature rather than the city," Jones reveals. "We settle our nervous systems down, our humanity is restored and our true nature is revealed. It’s a transformation for many people: they discover hidden talents, make better decisions, sleep well and have more time to reconnect with others. Restival is also a bit like time travel to when there was no internet. It gives our bodies and minds a much-needed clear-out, leaving behind stress that we no longer need. Soon, our guests, slip into a good night's sleep in traditional Navajo tipis and beautiful organic cotton bedlinen. Rest is so underrated, and part of a digital detox should include simply sleeping more."

Allowing the attendees to unplug, slow down and reconnect through yoga, meditation and wellness treatments – as well as sound therapy, workshops and art – Restival also collaborates with local community leaders, artists and medicine women from the Navajo communities.

(Credit: Michael Drummond)

Yoga is at the heart of Restival

While the event in the US continues to go from strength to strength, this month it is given an urban twist when it take up residence for one weekend (23 and 24 March) at the newly-opened Re:Centrein Hammersmith, West London.